Fashion + Fashion = Style

The great Anna Wintour once said “Create your own style… let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable for others.” Every person, fashionable or not, has their own style, and this style cannot be described with just one word. People may identify themselves as “boho chic” or “prep”, but I think they are lying. Not one person has a style that solely consists of just one type of fashion. You must make your style unique to you, just like Anna Wintour said, and if you try to identify yourself as one type of fashion then you aren’t being different at all. My style is influenced by many different fashions such as prep and hipster, and because I have multiple influences, my style is something that people can identify me by. You could even consider me a prepster, just like in the photo. Recently I have been thinking of how many different fashions there are, so I figured I would identify some of the massively influential ones, which in turn will hopefully influence you.

Just might be true love!

Prep is a fashion that influences a lot of people’s style, including mine. There is something so classic about prep, and it has been made well known by designers such as Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, and J. Crew who are some of my personal favorites. I have always wanted to be a part of the Hilfiger family, but who hasn’t at one point or another? When I think of prep I think of very clean lines, bright colors with neutrals, and lots and lots of polos. However, that alone does not make up the prep style. I think to pull off the prep look you must look groomed and very put together. Just look at Ralph Lauren models, and if you want a real treat look at the male models. The prep style oozes confidence and pride, and is a very American style. Something that I have picked up about dressing prep is that on days that I am just not feeling like myself, if I throw on a button down/sweater combo and some penny loafers I instantly feel better and more confident. Prep fashion is all about looking and feeling confident, and maybe a little bit of elitism, but who doesn’t like feeling a little bit above everyone else?

Hipster. I don’t think I could describe this fashion even if I tried. To be hipster is to dress different and just not care about what people think. So many people say that being hipster is so cliché, but those are the people that think this fashion is all about wearing glasses and carrying a type writer around instead of a laptop. I would say that hipster has a large influence on the way I dress, but you don’t see me bashing everything that is main stream. I think when dressing hipster you need to take mainstream items and wear them in ways that you normally wouldn’t. Also if you want to be hipster, try and avoid Abercrombie because some things are just too main stream to make different (there is a little main stream bashing for you). Stop caring what people think because if I cared every time somebody looked at me funny or thought what I was wearing was strange I’m pretty sure I would be curled up in a ball and refusing to leave my dorm. I think the reason why I let hipster influence my style so much is because I hate to be dressed like everyone else and I like to make people question what I am wearing. “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” Even Dr. Seuss was kind of hipster before hipster was even a thing.

Everyone has days where they want to be carefree, at least I do, and that is where boho comes into play. An easy going attitude and light weight flowing fabrics is what comes to mind when I think of boho. Now this fashion does not have much of an influence on my style because, to be honest, nothing about me is carefree. Although, I do admire anyone who can pull off this laid back look. Maxi skirts have become a staple to nail this look, but you have to pair them with the proper kind of top to look boho and not hobo (just don’t mix the letters around and you will be fine). Looser tops can be worn with maxi skirts, but not to the point where they look like a sheet. Also a lot of loose knits look great with this, and who doesn’t love a loose knit top. Maybe one day I will be able to pull off this fashion, but at this point I would have to stop being so uptight and just relax a little, and as of now that won’t be happening.

Vogue has become a place where I can let my mind wander to the land of couture. By no means can I afford couture clothing, but that doesn’t mean I can’t dream of wearing an Elie Saab gown on my wedding day (Gossip Girl’s finale only fed that dream). Couture isn’t necessarily a big influence on my style identity, but rather an influence on all types of style. It is something that can be taken in so many directions, which is why I think it is so influential. From designers such as the always fabulous Valentino to the more daring Dior, these aren’t styles that can be worn on a day to day basis, but can definitely inspire them. I drool over the pages of Vogue and would do almost anything to put on a couture gown, but as far as I’m concerned that won’t be happening any time soon. A lot of the time you can tell clothing that has been inspired by the couture side of things because they do look more expensive and stand out in a crowd. I’m quite sure that I won’t be wearing couture clothing at any point in my life, but I can wear couture inspired clothing!

These are only a few fashions that I admire, but there are so many more that inspire today’s style. Eras such as the eighties (hands down my favorite) are still influencing fashion and style to this very day. Eras in general make come backs every once in a while, all you have to do is look and you will begin to notice how past eras inspire todays. Also there are many fashions that don’t have an influence on my style such as goth, skater, and even scandalous (may also be referred to as trashy), but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t venture into them. So I hope that by seeing all these different types of fashion you begin to think of what fashions influence your style (let me know in the comments) and maybe even consider trying something new. Overall I just hope you are being unique and standing out. Who knows, your style might even influence others!

Fashionately,

Sarah

Tossin' Some Rules Out

I am not one to break rules, but from what I have heard, rules are made to be broken. I guess when I think about it, there are rules that don’t matter, especially in fashion. Yet in fashion, there are also many rules that should not be ignored, such as wearing socks and sandals. That in my mind is a rule that was made to last forever, and should never ever ever be forgotten! So I think it is time that people start being more daring with their fashion choices by breaking some of the rules, but if you go too far, the fashion police will come after you.

Everyone has heard the rule “Don’t wear white after Labor Day,” but that rule is outdated and completely irrelevant. From the runway to the magazines, winter white is becoming red hot. Now, with every broken rule there are new rules that are put in place. Such as, winter whites need to be paired with heavier fabrics like knits. This is what makes wearing the white appropriate, and keeps the outfit from looking too summery. Along with knits, you could throw on a fur vest or a warm scarf, which kicks winter white up a notch. Just to be clear, the fact that you can wear white after Labor Day does not mean that you should pull out your flowy white dresses or white daisy dukes from the summer. Those are only for summer and for nothing else. That is final. So if you are feeling like a daredevil, pull out your white jeans and throw on an oversize sweater (darker colors preferred), and if someone tries to tell you the rule, tell them to pick up a fashion magazine.

I have never thought that sequins and sparkles should be reserved only for nighttime, so now that that rule has been swept under the rug I could not be happier. However, a little sparkle goes a long way in daytime fashion. So this means that your skin tight sequined booty shaking dress should never be revealed during the daytime, and I mean it. By a little sparkle, I mean sequined tank tops or slightly bedazzled blazers. Actually, a fully bedazzled blazer can be worn during the daytime, as long as you pair it with the proper items. The way to do this is by dressing the sequins down. Wear the sparkly blazer with basic items such as skinny jeans and V-necks, and instantly a timeless outfit turns chic. This minor rule applies to anything that has sequins on it, and by that I mean that you have to dress down the sparkles to turn them into a daytime look. So to all you daring fashionistas sparkle on whether it is day or night.

So to the rule followers who say you can’t wear black and brown together, have you ever worn animal print? If your answer was yes, then you have been breaking your own rule all along. Sure black and brown can be tricky to pair together, but when you get it right, the color combo looks great. Personally I think warmer shades of brown look best with black, but there are ways that a dark brown can really stand out. To go along with the color combo rules, I would also have to disagree with the rule that states you can’t wear navy and black together. Most people have worn a black T-shirt with a pair of dark wash jeans, which means that this rule is easily disproved. The only time this rule does apply is when you are wearing suits. You should never pair a navy blazer with a pair of black dress pants or vice versa. If you do it just looks like you either can’t tell the difference between the colors, or you don’t care if you look sloppy. If you want to get this color pairing right, go for a shade of navy that is not too close to black, and from that point on it is as easy as one, two, three.

There are many rules that should be broken now a days, so here are a few more. Denim on denim, need I say more?  If you don’t believe me read my post Make It Work: Denim. Mix those metals, and by that I mean silver and gold can live on the same wrist at the same time. On a side note, what does Gold say when he walks into a bar and sees his enemy? A U, get outta here! Sorry, just my inner science nerd making an appearance. Anywho, to all my redheads, whoever said that we can’t wear the color red is completely wrong. It is adding fire to fire, which ends up making a bigger fire, therefore making redheads even more attractive than everybody else. Did I mention that I’m a redhead? If you haven’t noticed mixing patterns is one of the biggest trends in the fashion world right now, which clearly shows that that rule has been thrown out the window. So go ahead and mix stripes and floral, just make sure they have complementing colors. Any other rules you think you can break and make fashionable? Let me know in the comments.

As I said earlier, there are a lot of rules worth breaking, but there are also rules that are NEVER meant to be broken. So here are rules that I do not, and I mean do not want to see out on the street.  Leggings as pants, have I gotten my point across yet? If not, you probably should read my other posts about my love (NOT) of leggings as pants. Pajamas are meant to be worn at home, so that means they should never be worn in public. Panty line, do I even need to say that this rule should never be broken? Shorts should always cover your bottom because nobody wants to see your cheeks hanging out. I guess some guys do, but I can promise you that those guys aren’t worth your time and are not keepers. Never wear black tights with light colored shoes because it actually does make you look a lot shorter. Have anymore unbreakable rules? Share in the comments. I am sure that most know the rules of fashion, so if you ever look in the mirror and question if you are breaking a rule that shouldn’t be broken, you might want to change your outfit.

If you haven’t figured it out, fashion has a lot of rules. Some are important and others not so much, but I think hands down the most important rule is to express yourself. Fashion would not exist if people did not let their personalities shine with their clothing, so by all means express who you are with your clothes. Just follow the necessary rules, or you might end up on a list of fashion gone bad. So to all my fashionistas, be daring and toss those breakable rules out the window.

Fashionatley,

Sarah

Fashion in The New Year

Considering the New Year is only a few days away, I figured that I would share a few resolutions. Now I am not talking about your average resolutions like losing ten pounds or eating healthier. I’m talking about fashion resolutions! These resolutions will not only make you more fashionable, but I think they help you feel even better about yourself. So here are some fashion resolutions that are easy to do and turn you into a true fashionista. Let’s make 2013 the most fashionable year yet!

First, NEVER WEAR LEGGINGS AS PANTS. This is a huge pet peeve of mine, and I wish the so called “trend” would disappear. My rule of thumb when it comes to leggings is that as long as your shirt/dress completely covers your bottom and a little more (mid-thigh would be perfect), then I would say wearing leggings is acceptable. To go along with wearing leggings, don’t wear a skin tight shirt on top. Not only does it not look good, at least in my eyes, but it also isn’t very figure flattering. By wearing a looser top you are taking away pounds, not adding them.  So if this is a resolution you think you can achieve, wear a longer and looser top, and never ever think wearing them as pants is acceptable.

Second, DON’T LEAVE THE HOUSE IN SWEATS OR YOGA PANTS UNLESS YOU ARE WORKING OUT. Along with leggings, this is another pet peeve of mine. Putting on a pair of jeans is really not that hard, you don’t even have to iron them. If you are in public who looks more presentable, and person in baggy sweats or a person in jeans? Personally, I am going with the person in jeans, and if you think the person in baggy sweats is more presentable, you might want to pick up a fashion magazine. There isn’t much to this resolution other than not putting on sweats and yoga pants, so if you are looking for something that doesn’t require much effort, this might be for you.

Third, DON’T GET IN A FASHION RUT. Everyone has one trend that they are head over heels for, but wearing it every day just wears it out. There are so many trends out there, so don’t get stuck with only one. Even try mixing trends together, it is just like mixing prints. As long as they are similar, a great outfit can surely come from them. You may also have and outfit that is your absolute favorite, but if you wear it every week, it begins to lose its specialness.  To avoid getting in a rut, try and not wear the same outfit twice. Now I don’t mean never wear the same outfit twice, but don’t repeat it for at least two weeks. That way, when you do repeat an outfit, it seems new again. Also by adding new accessories to classic outfits, such as a T-shirt and jeans, you easily make them a new outfit, and stay out of the classic rut.I know how easy it is to get in a fashion rut, but it is also quite easy to get out of it. To achieve this resolution, just think outside the box and be creative.

Fourth, TRY SHOPPING AT NEW STORES. This is something that I absolutely love because I always have pieces of clothing that nobody else has. As I have gotten older, I have realized that a label doesn’t make the clothing great. I am not afraid to shop at places such as TJ Maxx and Target, or even Sears and Wal-Mart. I’m sure right now you are questioning these choices, but because I shop at a variety of stores, my wardrobe doesn’t match anybody else’s. This trend may seem kind of intimidating because you might worry that people are going to laugh by shopping at unexpected places, but all I have to say to that, is get over it. Your wardrobe is going to be a lot more diverse than others, and that will make you more of a fashionista.

Fifth, BUY THE SIZE THAT FITS NOT THE SIZE YOU THINK YOU ARE. I cannot emphasize this enough! You may think you are a size 2, but a size 4 might fit a whole lot better. All brands fit differently, which means that you are not the same size in every brand. Don’t be afraid to buy a large, when you are usually a medium. Even I took some time learning this lesson, and even cried when it came to sizes, but now I don’t care what size it is as long as I know I look good in it. If the size of a piece clothing bothers you, just cut the tag out. Size truly does not matter when it comes to clothing, what matters is how good you look in the clothing. This is a resolution that I think everyone needs to take part in.

Sixth, TRY SOMETHING NEW. I know this is so cliché, but it is so fitting when it comes to fashion. I there a piece of clothing you are too scared to try or a color that intimidates you? Just try it on. Trying it on isn’t going to kill you, and by doing this you can stop wondering on whether it looks good or not. Plus you might find out that you look drop dead gorgeous in the dress that taunts you every time you walk into the store. This resolution is something that every single person can take part in. Just do it!

Now these are only a few fashion resolutions and I am sure you can think of many more. By reading these I hope that your inner fashionista has become inspired and that you are ready to take a chance with fashion in the new year. I can promise you that doing something daring when it comes to fashion can make your year. Don’t believe me? This year I took a chance and got a pixie cut, and now I wouldn’t think of going back to long hair. So as the new  year rolls in take a chance and don’t look back. You won’t regret it.

Fashionately,

Sarah

 PS. Happy New Years!

Modest is Hottest

This week has become a week of horrible fashion, not for me, but for many others. Now I am not going to lie, I judge people on how they present themselves in public, especially when it comes to clothing. I am not afraid to voice my opinions on this subject, and some people find this to be rude and inappropriate. Now some of you may be thinking how awful I am for judging others, but don’t lie to yourself, you do it too. Now what comes to mind when I look at people in public is how appropriate their clothing choices are and how modest they are.

 When the word modesty is brought to thought, what do you think of? Some of you may be thinking of a person covered from head to toe in clothing that isn’t very fashionable, and others may be thinking of a person who looks fashionable, but could spend the day with their grandparents. When I think of modesty I think of the latter one. I mean, do you really want your boobs hanging out when you are spending the day with your grandparents? I sure don’t, and if you do, I think there might be something wrong with you. To all the scantily clad girls (you don’t deserve to be called women), there are quite a few people who don’t want to see that much of you, me being one of them. I don’t want to see your bum hanging out, your boobs in full view, and especially your “woo-hoo” out for the world to see. I don’t want to see this in class, in the dining hall, or even at parties, and I find it disgusting if you think this is the appropriate way to dress.

There are many clothing choices that are modest, yet still sexy. I enjoy showing of my butt in curve hugging dresses, but I make sure that the dress is long enough and that I am not showing too much skin up top.  I would feel uncomfortable in a dress that I couldn’t move in and that if I did my whole bottom and “woo-hoo” would be showing. I also don’t think my parents would be very happy to see pictures of their daughter like that on Facebook, especially when they think it is funny to call me a nun. So when you want to go out for a night on the town, choose pieces that complement each other. One way to do this is choosing one tight piece and one loose piece. So if you choose to wear tight jeans, wear a looser top because not only does it look a bit more modest, but it is also more flattering. Wouldn’t you want to look hot and not feel like you should be on a street corner? I know I would. When going out to parties, make sure your outfit fits the season. A short tight dress with 5-inch heels is not a clothing choice that comes to mind when thinking of wintertime and it is not modest. A more winter-ready appropriate party look is a skirt with a sweater. Now I sure you are thinking I’m crazy and saying “A skirt and sweater to a party? I don’t want to look like my grandma.” But add some sparkles and jewelry and the outfit is still modest and party appropriate (If you still don’t believe me look at the picture). These are only a few ideas for a modest party outfit; feel free to share your ideas.

College is a time to find out who you are and to express yourself, but that does not mean expressing your boobs in the classroom. If you really insist on wearing a low cut T-shirt to class, please wear a scarf or something, I am begging you! Not only are you distracting every boy in the classroom as they stare at you, but you are also distracting me because I am trying to figure out how you feel comfortable looking like that in class. To avoid this scenario, here are some clothing choices that will make you feel great about yourself, and stop making me question your dignity. As I have posted about before, scarfs are a great layering piece, but they also are great for covering up low cut T-shirts. A great pair of fitting jeans is also important when it comes to dressing modestly on a daily basis. Make sure your jeans are the right size for you because muffin top and butt crack are not only gross, but they aren’t really considered modest.  Just because you have a pair of pants that are a size 4, doesn’t mean another pair won’t be size 6. It isn’t that you are gaining weight; it is just that all pants are made differently. When dressing modestly, wearing the proper size is key. That means buying all clothes that fit, no matter what the size is. I have learned this, and honestly I don’t care what size I am buying anymore. The pictures are great examples of modest, but great outfits. Try one out!

Hopefully you all have some new ideas on how to dress modestly and appropriately whether it is a regular day or a night out on the town. By dressing modestly and appropriately, people will notice you for the right reasons, and you will feel good about yourself.  By the way, yoga pants and leggings are not considered appropriate for daily wear ever! If you think so, read my first post Sweatpants, and Leggings, and Shorts, Oh My and you may reconsider. Finally, if you are ever questioning an outfit fit, ask yourself, would it be appropriate to wear around your grandparents?

 Fashionately,

Sarah